Bucky Back to Buoy the Kill?

by Derek Zona on Sep 23, 2009 5:00 AM MDT in News

In an interview the other day, Pat Quinn mentioned that the responsibilities of this year's penalty kill would fall on Kelly Buchberger's shoulders as it did a year ago. Toss out everything I said in this post. Buchberger at the helm in front of the supposed whiz in Tom Renney is a puzzling decision, and one that could have some serious implications for the Oilers this year. Buchberger has no professional qualifications that indicate he can be a penalty kill coach in the NHL, yet two different coaches have no given him the reigns.

Not only is last year's penalty kill coach back, the penalty kill personnel are actually worse this year with the trade of Kyle Brodziak. After Shawn Horcoff, there are no reliable faceoff options on the team, especially in the defensive end. The saving grace here may be Renney. If the system has been laid in place by Renney and Buchberger is simply pushing pawns around the board, a top-half penalty kill may be a possibility. Put simply, the Oilers have no shot at the playoffs with Buchberger's 27th-ranked penalty kill in 2009-2010.

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quote/Put simply, the Oilers have no shot at the playoffs with Buchberger’s 27th-ranked penalty kill in 2009-2010/unquote

How true….And a waste if Renney isnt the one taking care of PK

by SumOil on Sep 23, 2009 11:11 AM MDT reply actions

And a waste if Renney isnt the one taking care of PK

I’m confused as to why they need to throw Bucky a bone here.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Sep 23, 2009 12:48 PM MDT up reply actions

I think saying they have no chance is probably overstating things somewhat. In reality, the team last year did in fact have a pretty decent shot at the playoffs despite their lack of success on the PK. A 27th ranked anything surely isn’t going to help, but a weakness in one area can always be overcome with strengths in other areas. Perhpas the PP will improve substantially under Fleming. Maybe a lack of rookies will help the players play a more responsible game. Gains could conceivably be made in the play of younger players like Gagner and Cogliano. I guess what I’m saying is, there’s still plenty of hope for mediocrity!

by Scott Reynolds on Sep 23, 2009 11:35 AM MDT reply actions

The problem is that they’ve lost Brodziak and his possible replacements are frightening taking defensive zone draws. They still don’t have anyone to help Horcoff. I can’t see them duplicating the ES performance of last year.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Sep 23, 2009 12:31 PM MDT up reply actions

I doubt that things are so compartmentalized that Bucky is running things on his own on the PK.

by godot10 on Sep 23, 2009 11:46 AM MDT reply actions

Bucky's Role

Agreed completely that Bucky on the PK is a bad idea, but if he is one of the associate coaches, what do you give him. He’s not there for the looks and this was his area of responsibility last year. If you can’t give him any roles then why is he there?

Maybe he runs with the PK under Renney’s guidance and surprises us all… maybe he fails. But if the players have to earn their positions, I think it reasonable that he has to earn his. Accountability from the top… crazy new concepts for this org I know.

My gut tells me Renney and Quinn will not stand idly by and watch a coach prematurely end their season… Someone will step in and correct things if it is deemed a problem… once again crazy new concepts for this org.

by till_horcoff_is_coach on Sep 23, 2009 12:18 PM MDT reply actions

then why is he there?

Exactly.

My gut tells me Renney and Quinn will not stand idly by and watch a coach prematurely end their season… Someone will step in and correct things if it is deemed a problem… once again crazy new concepts for this org.

And yet they’re okay throwing away early season points. Like Cole on the LW last year, like Pisani at center, like Penner….everywhere but where he should have been.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Sep 23, 2009 12:46 PM MDT up reply actions

then why is he there?

Exactly.

Hey, I’m not disagreeing, but they shouldn’t let Tambellini’s choice give him a free ride. Of course I would rather he be in charge of practice sessions and some other mundane job. But I can see merit with this role as it either proves he is of NHL caliber or voted off the island. Letting him ride in the shadows (ala most of MacTavish’s help) does neither.

As for early season points, I think the coaching staffs’ record to make the post season gives hope to them properly analyzing the importance of each game.

Sigh… reading my comments of late, I should really start referring to Quinn as “the saviour”, because I have a whole lot of hope that he will fix all that ails the oil. I guess I’ll enjoy the koolaid while I still can.

by till_horcoff_is_coach on Sep 23, 2009 4:02 PM MDT up reply actions

Hell, maybe Bucky is responsible for the PK as in by keeping Moreau from forcing one. Cutting 43 minors in half would theoretically save about 15 GA even with the same PK %. Dare to dream.

by till_horcoff_is_coach on Sep 23, 2009 4:18 PM MDT up reply actions

Your math is funny, but I get the point.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Sep 23, 2009 6:02 PM MDT up reply actions

Sigh… reading my comments of late, I should really start referring to Quinn as "the saviour", because I have a whole lot of hope that he will fix all that ails the oil. I guess I’ll enjoy the koolaid while I still can.

He gets it though, so there is hope.

Editor of The Copper & Blue, and leader of The Cult Of Hartikainen.

by Derek Zona on Sep 23, 2009 6:07 PM MDT up reply actions

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(updated 2.10.2012 at 1:26 AM MST)

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